Chain store sales in June were the highest they’ve been in years as pent up demand from a blustery winter drove shoppers into stores, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Retail sales were up 1 percent during the last week of June over the previous week. But on a year-over-year basis, sales increased by 4.6 percent, the strongest pace analysts have seen since Dec. 31, 2011, an ICSC report shows.

“Business was up sharply for most segments, especially at department stores, apparel stores, discounters and wholesale clubs,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC research consultant.

Gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices continue to increase, according to data from AAA, auto trade group. The firm said that drivers in the U.S. will pay the highest gas prices over the July 4 weekend since 2008. High crude oil costs due to violence in the Middle East have kept the prices from declining just before the holiday weekend, as they have in the past.

Drivers will likely pay 20 cents per gallon more than they did on July 4, 2013, AAA data shows.

“Current gas prices are still cheaper than this year’s peak price and unlikely to deter people from traveling,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.

Jeff Green is the owner of Jeff Green Partners, a retail consulting agency based in Phoenix. Green has experience consulting on a wide range of retail-related topics, from feasibility studies for development to sales projections for specific retail brands. He’s in Las Vegas this week at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers RECon convention, meeting with retailers and investment companies, keeping a close eye on trends and themes in the industry this year.

Herald-Tribune retail reporter, Justine Griffin, spent a few minutes with Green on a busy last day of the retail conference.

Justine Griffin: So what’s the feel like in Vegas this year?

Jeff Green: It’s very busy, but it doesn’t appear to be as busy in previous years because they opened an additional hall in the convention center. Plus there are a lot of mall operators doing business off site. But everyone here is very upbeat about the future and business seems to be going well.

Griffin: What are some trends you’re seeing at the conference?

Green: There’s still a lot of urban redevelopment and developers wanting to in-fill locations. We saw a lot of that last year too but it’s like on steroids this year. Most centers in development are mixed use plazas that have a residential or hotel component to them. You’re seeing developers move away from office and retail space combos and go more residential and retail this year. There’s a lot of demand for that.

As for restaurants, you’re seeing the landscape change significantly. There are so many independent chefs that have multiple concepts in the marketplace, from a white tablecloth setting to fast casual. They’re starting to understand that they don’t need to have an upscale concept to make a name for themselves. Chefs can put their stamp on something that’s not in a high-end location. Informal concepts that appeal to younger customers and are value oriented can be just as successful. It’s all about the environment and the excitement of the brand these days.

Griffin: So finding a niche with younger shoppers is a big focus for retailers?

Green:Oh my gosh, yes. You look at the booths here in Vegas – Church’s Chicken, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle. By far the busiest of those chains are the ones that appeal to the younger consumer. Developers are realizing this too.

Check back to What’s in Store for more ICSC RECON coverage this week. Watch videos of Justine Griffin’s coverage from the 2013 RECON convention here.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.

American consumers are projected to spend less on Easter this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Shoppers will spend less on chocolate eggs, jelly beans and stuffed bunnies this year, or an average $136.46 per person this year, according to a survey by the NRF. Total spring for the springtime holiday is expected to reach $15.9 billion this year.

“The winter doldrums left consumers with a lot of pent-up demand, and though many Americans may take a cautious approach to spending on Easter items this year, retailers are anticipating that warmer weather will easily put consumers in the mood to buy bright clothes, holiday decorations and more,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “As one of the biggest holidays of the year, retailers are looking forward to increased customer traffic in stores and online, and will roll out promotions on everything from garden supplies and patio sets to apparel and grocery items as they help their customers prepare for the holiday.”

Fewer Americans will celebrate this year, but the 80 percent of consumers that do, will spent an average of $43.18 on a holiday meal with family and friends. Overall, an Easter dining will total to $5 billion, said the NRF. About 42 percent of shoppers will buy new spring attire and nine in 10 families will stock up on candy, spending $2.2 billion on sweet treats alone.

“Though they are planning to trim their budgets in terms of spending on food, clothes and gifts, most will look for personal and fun items that won’t break the bank in order to enjoy the day,” said Pam Goodfellow, Prosper Insights and Analytics director.

Nearly one in four shoppers will use smartphones to research products or compare prices on Easter-related merchandise, but only 12.2 percent of shoppers will use their cell phones to make purchases.

Retail spending up in March

After a long and harsh winter, warmer weather this spring spurred consumer spending and retail activity this march, according to data collected by the National Retail Federation.

March retail sales increased by 0.8 percent on a month-to-month scale, and 1.6 percent year-over-year, research shows.

“Consumers shed their winter coats last month for fresh, spring merchandise,” Shay said. “Retail sales increased in most categories and sectors as consumers took to stores to purchase new spring attire and home furnishings in hopeful expectation of warmer weather. Sales should continue to remain positive this spring with the approach of Easter and expected tax refunds.”

The warmer weather into April brought mixed results, however.

The first fiscal week of April saw sales decline by 0.3 percent, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. On a year-over-year basis, sales improved to 2.3 percent, data shows. That’s the strongest reading the ICSC has tracked in more than two months.

“As temperatures turned seasonally warmer for the week, retail business was stronger for discounters, dollar stores, wholesale clubs, office, and furniture stores relative to the same week of the prior year. But some segments lagged for the week, including drug, department and apparel stores,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice president of research and chief economist. “Encouragingly, the year-over-year pace of sales advanced by its strongest rate since matching its February 18th performance and bodes well for April,” Niemira added.

ICSC predicts that April sales will increase by 3.5 – 4 percent.

Photo by Thomas Bender, Herald-Tribune staff

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.

U.S. chain store sales were up by more than 4 percent for the month of July, which is the strongest gain the retail industry has this year since January, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Sales were up 4.4 percent in July on a year-over-year basis, ICSC data shows, which is just under January’s 4.5 percent gain earlier this year.

“July sales were very solid despite a slow start to the back to school season, which we anticipated based on the ICSC – Goldman Sachs BTS consumer survey conducted last month,” said Michael P. Niemira, vice president of research and chief economist for ICSC, in a statement. “Our survey suggests that the majority of consumers will begin their back to school shopping in August which bodes well for a continuation of the current sales pace that we have seen over the previous two months.”

Florida’s back to school sales tax holiday weekend ran Aug. 2-4 this year.

For August, ICSC researchers predict the trend to stay strong in the 4.5 to 5 percent range.

Photo by Mike Lang, Herald-Tribune staff.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.

Sales rose by just 0.2 percent during the week of May 18, an ICSC report said, and 3.1 percent on a year-over-year basis – the highest pace since mid-January.

“Consumers played catch-up this past week and helped to propel weekly sales for retailers,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice president of research and chief economist, in a statement. “However, weather conditions continue to play havoc with the weekly pace of sales.”

The pace of sales in April hovered around 3 percent, but research shows that May will fall between 2-3 percent range.

In Southwest Florida, summer is a traditionally slow period for retailers. Unlike in other markets, most chain stores will see a dip in activity and in sales following the end of spring – when part time residents leave for northern states or countries after Easter – until back to school sales pick up in August.

Photo by Dan Wagner, Herald-Tribune staff.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.

Today I am reporting from the International Council of Shopping Centers ReCon convention in Las Vegas.

At the conference, Westfield Group announced plans to redevelop Southgate Mall as an outdoor lifestyle center and will change the name to Westfield Siesta Key. Scroll down to see a photo gallery of what the new mall will look like.

Here’s a video recap of my first day at the convention:

Here’s a video interview with Chuck Taylor, senior vice president with Madison Marquette, a real estate development firm.

Next week, I’ll be reporting from Las Vegas at the International Council of Shopping Centers 2013 ReCon convention. Check the What’s in Store blog for photos, video interviews and the latest news about retail projects coming to Southwest Florida. I will be live tweeting the event too, so follow me on Twitter @SunBizGriffin.

For more shopping news in Southwest Florida, follow reporter Justine Griffin on Twitter and Facebook or email her at justine.griffin@heraldtribune.com. Read What’s In Store in print on Tuesdays.